Egyptian authorities said on Wednesday that the body of a Saudi national, Hattan bin Ghazi Shata, who was reported missing in April was found with "no criminal elements" connected to his death.
In a statement, the Egyptian Interior Ministry said the investigations and medical tests have “affirmed that no criminal act was associated with the death of Hattan”, attributing his death to health reasons.
The Saudi embassy in Egypt issued a statement saying it received a notice from Egyptian authorities regarding the disappearance of Shata in Cairo, and affirming his identity after DNA tests.
The Saudi embassy conveyed its condolences in an official post on its Facebook page to the family of the deceased, thanking Egyptian authorities for their efforts to find Hattan.
Hattan was reported missing on April 22, one week after arriving in Cairo where he stayed at his place of residence in New Cairo city.
The needed legal measures were taken immediately after Hattan was found, the Egyptian ministry affirmed, noting that his brother, already in Cairo, and the Saudi embassy were briefed and notified on the details.
The brother of the deceased told Asharq Al-Awsat that “preparations are underway in coordination with the Saudi embassy in Cairo and the Egyptian authorities”, to transport the body of his brother back to Saudi Arabia.
A week ago, in a statement on X, the Saudi embassy in Cairo said that it has been deploying all necessary efforts in order to disclose the whereabouts of Shata who disappeared a month ago.